Leading experts analyze the experiences of a number of small states including the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Luxembourg, Cyprus, Iceland, Austria and Switzerland. Each account, written to a common template, explores the challenges and opportunities faced by each state as a consequence of EU integration, and how their behaviour regarding EU integration has been characterized. In particular, the contributors emphasize the importance of power politics, institutional dynamics and lessons of the past.

Innovative and sophisticated, the study draws on the relational understanding of small states to emphasize the implications of institutional change at the European level for the smaller states and to explain how the foreign and European policies of small states in the region are affected by the European Union.

Contents: Preface: about the resilience of small states, Mario Hirsch; Part I Small States in Europe: Defining the Issues at Stake: Introduction, Robert Steinmitz and Anders Wivel; From small state to smart state: devising a strategy for influence in the European Union, Anders Wivel; Small state diplomacy compared to sub-state diplomacy: more of the same or different?, David Criekemans and Manuel Duran; Small states and the European security and defence policy, Clive Archer. Part II The Challenges and Opportunities of Small European States: Small states and innovation, Rainer Kattel, Tarmo Kalvet and Tiina Randma-Liiv; Small states, power, international change and the impact of uncertainty, Toms Rostoks; The fluid nature of smallness: regulation of the international system and the challenges and opportunities of small states, Plamen Pantev. Part III The Experience of Small States with the European Union: In a league of its own? The Netherlands as a middle-sized EU member state, Jan Rood; The foreign policy of Luxembourg, Jean-Marie Frentz; Slovakia and the Czech Republic in the European integration process: birds of a feather flying apart?, Mats Braun; Cyprus, small-powerhood and the EU’s principles and values, Costas Melakopides; Neutrality inside and outside the EU: a comparison of Austrian and Swiss security policies after the cold war, Jean-Marc Rickli; The Icelandic crash and its consequences: a small state without economic and political shelter, Baldur Thorhallsson. Part IV Conclusion, Robert Steinmetz and Anders Wivel; Index.

About the Editor: Robert Steinmetz, is a Press Secretary, Personal Assistant to the Minister, General Secretariat, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Luxembourg and Anders Wivel, is an Associate Professor, PhD, Department of Political Science, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

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Auteur: Raphaël Kies

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Le Traité de Rome: Histoires pluridisciplinaires

Editions: Peter Lang, Mai 2009

Editeurs : Sandrine Devaux, René Leboutte , Philippe Poirier

Cet ouvrage est issu d’un colloque co-organisé en avril 2007 à Luxembourg à l’occasion du cinquantième anniversaire du Traité de Rome par le Programme Gouvernance européenne et le Centre de Droit européen de l’Université du Luxembourg d’une part et d’autre part l’Institut Pierre Werner.Ce livre sur les Traités de Rome et Euratom n’entend pas être une nouvelle brochure commémorative à l’occasion du cinquantième anniversaire de leur entrée en vigueur, d’autant plus avec l’échec de la ratification du Traité constitutionnel européen et les difficultés du Traité de Lisbonne, qui ont rappelé que les citoyens européens exigent d’être écoutés et d’être partie prenante au futur de l’Europe. Il cherche au contraire à mieux saisir les origines et les développements de deux traités aux fondements de l’Union européenne en s’intéressant particulièrement aux rôles des États du Benelux, de la Banque européenne d’investissement, de la Cour de justice des Communautés européennes et aux nouvelles formes de gouvernance politique et de citoyenneté. Il résulte d’une réflexion collective, interdisciplinaire (historique, juridique, politologique et sociologique) sur les « racines » des Traités de Rome et leurs développements : leur mise en oeuvre, leurs réalisations concrètes, mais aussi leurs imperfections.

Ceci est enrichi et illustré par les témoignages de nombreux acteurs ayant préparé et ratifié ces Traités.

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Sustainable Governance Indicators 2009

Editions: Bertelsmann Siftung, April 2009

Auteur : Philippe Poirier,Fernand Fehlen & Mario Hirsch

The Sustainable Governance Indicators (SGI), published in spring 2009, analyze and compare the need for reform in OECD member countries, as well as their ability to respond to current social and political challenges. The project is designed to create a comprehensive data pool on government-related activities in the world’s developed, free-market democracies. In addition, it uses international comparisons to provide evidence-based input for reform-related public discourse taking place in these countries. Using qualitative and quantitative data, the SGI measure the current need for political, economic and social reform in all 30 OECD member states. At the same time, it examines to what extent the countries’ governments are able to tackle pressing problems and implement effective solutions.

After the democracy ranking’s initial release in February 2009, it will be updated and reissued on a biennal basis. The project supplements the Bertelsmann Stiftung’s current portfolio of comparative analytical tools. Since 2002, for example, its Bertelsmann Transformation Index (BTI) has been documenting the progress 125 transformation countries have been making toward democracy and a market economy. Using a similar approach, the SGI evaluate the extent to which OECD member states are in a position, given changing domestic and international conditions, to implement the reforms necessary for ensuring their future viability. By measuring the need for reform along with the effectiveness of initiatives that have already been implemented, the SGI want to identify the best policy solutions for promoting democracy and a market economy. SGI findings are based on quantitative data from international organizations, supplemented by evaluations provided by renowned country experts.

Télécharger la publication : Luxembourg Sustainable Governance Indicators 2009

Constitutional Documents of Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands1789–1848/Verfassungsdokumente Belgiens, Luxemburgs und der Niederlande 1789-1848

Editions: K.G. Saur- de Gruyter , December 2008

Editeurs : Philippe Poirier, Fred Stevens & Peter A.J van den Berg

Der siebte Europa-Band der Verfassungen der Welt widmet sich mit Belgien, Luxemburg und den Niederlanden einer zentralen europäischen Region, in der die Revolutionen von 1789, 1830 und 1848, die Restauration in der Folge des Wiener Kongresses und die nationalen Unabhängigkeitsbestrebungen ihren konstitutionellen Widerhall finden. Von der Lütticher Menschenrechtserklärung von 1789 und der Declaratie van de Rechten van de Mens en Burger van Holland von 1795 reichen die edierten Quellen über die Verfassungsdokumente des Vereinigten Königreichs der Niederlande (1815-1830/39) und des 1831 gegründeten Königreichs Belgien bis hin zur Verfassung des Großherzogtums Luxemburg von 1848.

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Publisher: Routledge Advances in European Politics, 2008

Editors: Keith Dowding & Patrick Dumont

This volume discusses the formation of government cabinets within twenty European democracies, providing the institutional background to the selection and de-selection of ministers.Exploring the historical and constitutional context to cabinet formation, this volume proceeds to provide vital data on the strategic issues that affect the selection of ministers. Covering states from all over Europe, the authors examine trends from the post-war period up to the present day, with specific focus on recent decades for the newer democracies in political transition. The volume includes:

1. pioneering new research into the hiring and firing of government ministers
2. vital information on appointments, dismissals and resignations within government cabinets
3. succinct constitutional data relating to ministerial selections across a number of European states

The book is the first output of the Selection and De-selection of Political Elites international network of scholars (SEDEPE) and will provide a major source of information for all scholars interested in the formation, maintenance and termination of cabinets and the nature of ministerial government. The Selection of Ministers in Europe. Hiring and Firing will also be of broader interest to students of European Government and Political Institutions.

Patrick Dumont is a researcher in political science at Programme Gouvernance européenne de l’Université du Luxembourg.

von Wolfgang H. Lorig (Universität Trier) Mario Hirsch (Institut Pierre Werner)

Verlag: Vs Verlag  für Sozialewissenschaften, 2008.

Einleitung: ein « Modell Luxemburg »? – Historische Grundlagen – Aktuelle Rahmenbedingungen und Herausforderungen – Regierung und Verwaltung – Politische Parteien, Wahlen und organisierte Interessen – Wirtschafts- und Arbeitsmarktpolitik – Europäische Integration und internationale Politik – Rollendefinition und -perzeption eines Kleinstaats

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